The United States President Barack Obama has acknowledged Nigeria’s leadership role in Africa, saying the country is critical to the survival of the continent.
“Nigeria is critical to the rest of the continent and if Nigeria does not get it right, Africa will really not make more progress,’’ Obama said when he received the Acting President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan on Monday at Blair House, Washington DC.
The Acting President began a four-day official visit to the U.S. on Sunday.
“There is the urgent need for free and fair elections and the need to tackle the problem of corruption and to establish security and stability in the country,’’ Obama said.
He said his country “would like to work with Nigeria to ensure a politically stable environment which will make Nigeria a good example to other African countries.”
Obama thanked Jonathan for accepting his invitation to the Nuclear Summit and commended him for his leadership qualities particularly the manner in which he stabilised Nigeria’s political situation.
NAN reports that earlier, Jonathan had given the assurance that the Federal Government would intensify its reform programmes to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy and public well-being.
“Without credible reforms, we cannot phase out bad leadership and without that process, we cannot have a strong nation,” Jonathan said. The Acting President pledged Nigeria’s commitment to a successful implementation of the recently signed Bi-National Agreement between Nigeria and the U.S.
He expressed optimism that the Working Group established by the Commission would contribute towards actualising the objectives of the Nigeria’s Vision 20; 2020
Jonathan also thanked the American Government for the support it had given for the implementation of the amnesty, stating that the Government was committed to restoring peace in the Niger Delta region.
Jonathan congratulated Obama for the success of the healthcare bill in the U.S.